title: [Efficacy of Pentax-AWS in difficult airways: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increased evidence indicates that the Pentax-AWS (AWS) is useful for difficult airways. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the AWS in difficult airways, comparing that of Macintosh laryngoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The systematic search, data extraction, critical appraisal, and pooled analysis were performed according to the PRISMA statement. The relative risk (RR), mean difference (MD), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2.2.040 software for dichotomous and continuous outcomes, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen randomized controlled trials, performed in simulated difficult airways (published between 2006, October and 2012, May), included 981 tracheal intubations by AWS and 986 tracheal intubations by Macintosh laryngoscopy. AWS showed higher success rate (RR: 1.220, 95% CI: 1.126 to 1.322, P < 0.00001) and shorter duration for instrumentation (MD: -10.319 s, 95% CI: -14.309 s to -6.328 s, P < 0.00001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable evidence that AWS has an advantage over Macintosh laryngoscope in difficult airways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, International University of Health and Welfare, Nasushiobara 329-2763.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoshijima
authors.forename: Norifumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuratani
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic